Post-COVID Universal Orlando Resort: A theme park pro’s review

By Emma Pastis
The First Academy

Last week, I decided to brave the 95-degree heat, throw on my mask and head over to Universal Orlando Resort.

I visited Universal Studios and then ended my day at Islands Of Adventure. 

After the March 15 closing of all three theme parks because of the COVID-19 virus, Universal reopened to the public June 7. Since then, it has implemented several safety measures to ensure all park-goers remain as safe as possible while visiting. Several specific safety protocols have been set up — two of these being temperature checks prior to entry and required face covering. Any person with a temperature higher than 100.4 degrees will not be admitted into the parks, and a face covering is required. 

With the hot weather I was facing on the day I attended the parks, wearing the mask outside in the scorching Florida summer heat for the whole day was a bit of a struggle. It is a strict requirement that the mask must be worn for the entirety of the stay and for it to be worn correctly — covering over both the nose and mouth. The mask is only allowed to be taken off when in a designated rest area or when eating food in a restaurant, and Universal Orlando team members come around to help remind you and ensure the mask is properly being worn.

A benefit of going to Universal during this time is shorter wait times for the attractions. For some of my favorite rides, I only had to wait in a 20-minute line, where I would have previously waited 40 minutes or longer on a normal day. 

There is also the option of waiting in line for rides virtually, which is made available for the more popular attractions. On your phone, you are able to reserve a time to visit that specific attraction. 

I spoke with a fellow theme-park enthusiast, Crystal Fitzgerald, who has visited the parks a few times since its reopening. 

“We’re grateful that the parks reopened, and it was fun to ride the rides with little to no wait, but all the restrictions did dampen the spontaneous joy of being at Universal,” she said. 

She enjoyed being at the parks because of the convenience of the short lines but says her visit was less enjoyable because of the strict mask restrictions. 

I noticed many of the team members were doing their best in sanitizing high-touch areas, such as handrails, chairs and benches. In most of these high-touch areas, I observed a team member sanitizing after each use.

Practicing physical distancing by staying 6 feet apart from other travel parties is now an important requirement at Universal Orlando, and spacing guides such as floor markers are in place to help maintain these requirements. These floor markers are put in place in many areas, especially in lines for security, rides, restaurants and bathrooms. Hand-sanitizer stations are also effective in the attraction lines and are to be put to use before getting on to ride vehicles. 

Although my visit to Universal Orlando Resort was overall enjoyable, the atmosphere of joy that comes with being at these parks was not as is present usually. 

However, I applaud Universal for doing its best in trying to keep everyone safe, but because of the strict rules and restrictions, my day at Universal did not feel the same.